What to do next?

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I have just was given notice that my parking agreement with a local business is ending. Not from anything that I have done but because of other less respectful folks have done over the past year. So the parking space that I have been paying for and been reliant on for several years will be gone at the end of this week. That said I have to give up my work space for a …. car. Their are some people who think a garage is for parking cars. What a bunch of dumb m#%her &*ckers. So, for the fifth time in my life I am found with no place to work at what I really love. I will continue to post on what I am doing in the field but until I find a place to set up shop I will be working only on design ideals. I want you to know right now I’m so mad I could spit bullets and fart lightening.

A cherry set of saw horses

These saw horses at present are being used to support my bench top. They were a fun build.

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Built from 8/4 cherry featuring draw bored mortise and tenon joinery along with wedge tenons for the cross members. The result is a very strong set of saw horses. Yes, I enjoyed featuring the knot hole on the outside of the foot. Thanks for looking enjoy your day.

A little 10″ dovetail saw

I was looking for one of these and as luck would have it Josh from http://hyperkitten.com/blog/ had posted this little fellow in his list of old tools for sale. I placed the order and he sent it out very quickly. I received it and before I sent the payment I had cleaned and sharpened it. I put it through its paces and it performed wonderfully. Here are a few pics.

A fun little project for a friend’s pool hall

I had a friend of mine who is a local pool hall owner approach me about building a small trophy shelf. He stated, he wanted just a couple of shelves on a particular wall. To be honest with you he would have been happy with two shelves on brackets. However, I felt that single unit would be the best and he agreed to my design. Although, I did not give all the details of the construction I had in mind. It was enough to get the job.

The materials are red oak with mahogany wedges. The wedges are actually what holds this piece together. I mounted the piece to the wall with a french cleat. The finish is a penetrating stain the owner had on hand, not my favorite color. The wedges I ebonized using old steel wool and vinegar. All of which I topped of with three coats of a satin lacquer rubbed out and waxed.

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 This is a very easy project and lot fun as well.

Looking back at a few jobs.

These are a few of the jobs from the past year. This is what I do for living.

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Much more to come.

First project complete

Wow, Not bad

Inside the top

Inlaid knobs

Mitered bridle joints

Grapefruit!!

Back (lame attempt at carving)

Front detail

Bottom of foot

 

So, Here is the piece complete. The finish used was six coats of Danish oil rubbed out and four coats of wax polished out by hand. She ain’t perfect, But, the better half loves it. Enjoy and thanks for looking.

First project Continued

Frame and panel glue up

Planing the panels

The platform with mitered bridle joint

Yes, at this point I have no bench. Is that like I have no bananas today; or, I am bananas. I guess the folding table will have to do.  Now I had thought I would photograph the entire process. I found myself getting wrapped up in it and failed to do just that. So a few details about the construction and I’ll let the pic’s say the rest. The base, side panels, and lid are frame and panel with mitered bridle joints. The inside frame is set in dados and coped at the front. the knob and handles are inlaid and set with dowels. The hindge pins are Ebony turned on a drillpress. The platform is fastened to the sides with splines. The platform feet are hand carved and set with dowels.